From the Chamber: Celebrating milestones

By JoAnn Ryan

Published 2:00 am, Sunday, September 18, 2016

This week I will be celebrating a milestone…39th birthday (again), surrounded by wonderful family, friends and colleagues, all significant people in my life. The cards are quite funny despite incorrectly listing the age!

One in particular that I have saved – Hallmark - expresses some thoughts that seem appropriate as I reflect on the Chamber’s 115-year history and my 39 years that seem interlinked and really life in general.

“Our FIRST decade, we CONQUER THE BASICS, like walking and talking and getting along…”

Actually, it’s more like running here at the Chamber as we confront the basics of taking care of business. In this economy, we are not walking…we’re running at a fast pace to get ahead and help you do likewise. We are most cognizant of the pressures placed on your businesses and companies. While we may not reach full agreement on any topic, we must work together to find a solution. Please check our website frequently for the calendar of events, initiatives and programs. Be sure to note the Candidate Roundtables.

We are quickly developing and discovering more resources throughout the region that require only your valuable time and energy. Our collaboration with the NW Regional Workforce Investment Board, the NW CT Economic Development Corporation, the Northwest Hills Council of Governments, the Governor’s Commission on Employment and Training, Northwestern Connecticut Community College and SCORE allow you to take advantage of opportunities to enhance your business success.

“Then through the THIRD decade, we manage to juggle our work and RELATIONSHIPS, doing our best…”

We are able to initiative those programs that benefit you because of the people who surround like our Board of Directors, Corporate Sponsors, committee members and Chamber friends. I marvel at their skill in working at their jobs while making the effort to support the Chamber initiatives and the region. I wouldn’t trade these important relationships developed over the years for anything. In fact, I count my lucky stars often!

“The FOURTH brings REWARDS AND ACHIEVEMENTS to savor.”

It is heartwarming to meet people who have benefited from our guidance and support. We stay in touch with some of the students who participated in Jr. Leadership and YEA and the recipients of scholarships to the WOW Forum.

“We take a deep breath – but it’s NO TIME TO REST!” Who wants time to rest? There’s so much more to do!

“Then it’s on to our FIFTIETH year – and a decade for MAKING THE MOST OF OUR WHOLE LIFE SO FAR.”

Are we truly making a difference in the lives of others? What positive impact do we have on our employees, our neighbors, our colleagues, our families and our friends? Let’s be sure to respond to United Way serving over 58,000 residents in northwest Connecticut through its 26 agencies.

“And when we turn SIXTY, we really take off, with our dreams for the future still HITCHED TO A STAR!”

Have we reached this decade yet? Surely not me, in mind and spirit that is! Oh what fun when we take off at a pace, thinking out of the box, dreaming of the goals we can achieve because there’s so much more to do in this challenging, global marketplace.

“And then there’s SEVENTY, OH BOY NOT ME!”

We’ve all experienced the laughter and tears, happiness and sadness, wins and losses. Through it all, witnessing these milestones, the firm conviction remains that there are possibilities awaiting us and there are few things in life that cannot be tackled successfully. Together, let’s celebrate! Thank you for being a part of it!

JoAnn Ryan is President & CEO of the NW CT Chamber of Commerce. You can reach her by email: joann@nwctchamberofcommerce.org or phone: 860-482-6586.